Police arrest suspects in rash of burglaries

Monday

Apr 30, 2012 at 7:00 PMApr 30, 2012 at 10:55 PM

Suspects in approximately 30 house break-ins and a jewelry store theft pleaded not guilty today in Dudley District Court.

Moises Ortega, 49, Marcos Ortega, 38, and Wendy Diaz, 33, of 108 Charlton St., Apt. 1R, were arrested Friday at their apartment building after detectives showed up with a warrant to search for stolen items.

Police said that when they arrived they found Marcos and Moises Ortega leaving the basement bulkhead access of their building and Ms. Diaz in the apartment.

Police said the men had two laptop computers and an iPod shuffle they had allegedly stolen.

Gaming consoles and a bag containing jewelry were also recovered from the apartment, police said.

As the search was taking place, Sgt. Gerald Arvelo told detectives a break-in had just been reported at nearby 305 Worcester St., according to the police report.

Sgt. Ryan Roettger took the jewelry from the Ortegas' apartment to the Worcester Street building, where the alleged victims identified the items as theirs, police said.

A surveillance video showed Moises Ortega leaving the area carrying a bag that had been reported stolen from the residence, police said.

Moises and Marcos Ortega and Ms. Diaz accused one another of committing several recent break-ins, police said.

Ms. Diaz allegedly admitted she pawned jewelry Marcos Ortega had given her from an earlier break-in at Gold Buyers of America in Meriden, Conn.

Moises Ortega, investigators said, was also on videotape pawning items that had been stolen from Cormier Jewelers on Central Street on March 24.

Ms. Diaz was released on personal recognizance on a charge of receiving stolen property valued at more than $250.

Moises Ortega was ordered held on $250 bail on two counts of breaking and entering a building during the daytime, two counts of larceny over $250, receiving stolen property valued at more than $250 and possession of heroin..

Marcos Ortega was ordered held on $500 bail on charges of breaking and entering during the daytime and larceny over $250.

Police said additional charges may be filed after all of the evidence is examined and possibly identified by rightful owners.

Marcos Ortega is already on probation for breaking and entering charges, according to the court. He was recently taken off an electronic monitoring device, police said in an interview.

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